A debt support charity helping people in the Swindon area is urging the government to do more to fight poverty.

The Christians Against Poverty teams based in Swindon, Highworth, Blunsdon, Cricklade, and Shrivenham have seen an increase in clients seeking support as living costs rise.

A new YouGov poll commissioned by the good cause found that 68 per cent of adults in the south west who responded to the survey have seen an increase in poverty in their local area and 91 per cent think it is important more is done to tackle the problem.

Highworth Churches Together, in partnership with Christians Against Poverty, are collectively helping thousands of people to break free from poverty across the region with almost 2,700 people becoming debt free following their help.

Highworth debt centre manager Kathryn Ford said: “Poverty is on the rise. We need to face it together.

“CAP’s latest YouGov poll shows poverty is on the rise in local communities across the UK and I’m certainly seeing people suffering here in our area due to rising costs and low incomes.

“Over half of adults in the region have gone without heat at some point this winter. It’s likely to get worse unless we all play our part.

"To tackle poverty head-on in 2023, we are asking politicians, energy providers, utilities companies, local organisations, and individuals to all unite with the aim of ending UK poverty.”